TV legend: Actor Sherman Hemsley, who passed away last month, died from lung cancer, it was reported today

Sherman Hemsley, who passed away last month aged 74, died from lung cancer, it emerged today.

The veteran actor, who won over television audiences as beloved family man George Jefferson, died as a result of a cancerous mass on his lung, according to the results of his post mortem, TMZ reports.

The primary cause of death is listed as a 'superior vena cava syndrome' - a complication resulting from a mass on his lung.

The report by the El Paso County Texas Medical Examiner states that Hemsley had been advised to get chemotherapy and radiation therapy before his death, the website reports.

It is not clear whether the actor was a smoker.

Hemsley died on July 24 at his home in El Paso, Texas.

It was initially reported that he died of natural causes.

The actor, who first made the character famous on hit sitcom All in the Family, two years later would be offered a starring role next to Isabel Sanford in spin-off The Jeffersons.

The show became an instant hit following its 1975 debut, running for a decade and earning Mr Hemsley an Emmy nomination in 1984 for lead actor in a comedy series.

Mr Hemsley's TV credits also include roles on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Hughleys and Amen.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mr Hemsley dropped out of high school to join the military. After four years of service in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to the city and worked for the Postal Service for eight years, while simultaneously pursuing a music career.

He began performing with local groups and eventually moved to New York City, where he would make his Broadway debut portraying Gitlow in the musical version of Purlie in 1970.

After The Jeffersons wrapped, Mr Hemsley would again pursue his singing career, with the release of his single Ain't That a Kick in the Head in 1989.

Former child star Larenz Tate‏, who acted alongside the television legend wrote: 'RIP Sherman Hemsley aka George Jefferson. I had the honor of wrking w the great comedic actor as a kid on his show Amen in 1988.'

Lenny Kravitz also paid his respects:
'Rest in peace Sherman Hemsley. You are legendary. Your contribution
changed the fabric of American culture. Growing up watching you on set
with my mom was monumental.'